This is sort of a follow up to the season 2 episode “Deadly Creature Below”...only I’ve added an interesting twist to the original outcome of the story. After escape convicts Dobbs and Hawkins run amok aboard the Seaview wreaking havoc and mayhem during the course of their rampage they almost wrecking the diving bell with Nelson and Sharkey on board, the flying sub, battling a huge undersea monster made of seaweed and having procured weapons from an unlocked arms locker not necessarily all in that exact order, during their last failed attempt to escape in the missile room there is a violent confrontation between Dobbs and Admiral Nelson.

Dobbs pistol whips Harry demanding he goes with him and Hawkins as a hostage to help with their escape. Nelson refuses because he knows they are too deep to survive diving at their present depth. He tries to convince him it’s useless to try as they could not survive outside the sub for more than a few minutes before being crushed by the deadly pressure. Dobbs becomes enraged and begins firing his handgun shooting and killing his partner Hawkins. During the fray a stray bullet winds up hitting Harry squarely in the left knee shattering the knee cap. The men in the missile room turn all their attention to the wounded admiral while Dobbs makes good his exit out the escape chamber and is killed before he is able to swim to the surface. Rushing Harry to sickbay, Jamie the CMO of the Seaview assesses the injury to Harry’s knee. Realizing he has neither the facilities necessary or the expertise for this type of injury, Harry is immediately flown via FS1, piloted by his best friend and skipper of the Seaview, Lee Crane and co-piloted by Kowalski with Jamie aboard for medical support during Nelson’s transfer to National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for emergency consultation and surgery on his knee.

 

Changing Identities

By Keri Teach

 

During the consultation Jamie had with the staff of specialists at the medical center it was determined the only way to repair the damage to Harry’s knee without leaving him permanently crippled was to do a knee replacement. Recovery from the surgery would take a minimum of a couple weeks. Afterwards, Harry would need intensive physical therapy. Basically he would have to learn how to walk all over again because of the difference in the feel of the prosthetic joint and how it works. The doctor’s all agreed on The Boekman Clinic, a top rated physical rehabilitation clinic in Georgetown, a historic neighborhood in northwest Washington D.C. . The area is also known for its university, its entertainment district and is situated along the Potomac River.  

The Boekman Clinic was named for the Danish doctor who came up with some of the therapy and exercise methods used at the clinic and also provided the bulk of the funding to set up the very private and exclusive clinic for the rich and famous. Harry being famous for all his exploits while in the Navy, with his design and supervision in the construction and development of his famous submarine Seaview would fit in. He was also an individual with great wealth at his disposal, coming from a wealthy Boston family. However, Harry never flaunted his wealth but none the less it’s a well-known fact in many elite circles.

Because of Harry’s privy to national security and scientific secrets and the long list of enemies that would like to get hold of Harry for obvious reasons, it was ordered by SEC NAV and both Lee and Jamie agreed for Harry’s protection and to keep his whereabouts secret it would be best if he were admitted to the clinic under an assumed name and identity so that he could get the therapy he needed to start walking again as his new prosthetic knee healed and be able to relax without worrying about being recognized and targeted by enemy agents or any interference from nosy reporters. During his initial convalescence at the medical center Harry had begun to grow a rather significant beard to be used as part of his disguise.

With Lee’s help he darkened his hair and beard so that it was a darker brown instead of its usual light reddish color with blonde highlights. Harry normally wasn’t receptive to being tied down and fussed over but this time it was totally out of his control. If he wanted to get his life back on an even keel and be back on board his beloved Seaview he would have to follow doctors’ orders and do whatever was expected of him to fully recover. He wasn’t particularly happy about being discharged from the medical center in a wheel chair.

Harry was transported to the Boekman Clinic by a wheelchair accessible van with Jamie along posing as Harry’s personal attendant. Soon as they arrived at the clinic Jamie pushed Harry in his wheelchair into the main lobby of the clinic. The receptionist there proceeded to check Harry in while one of the clinic’s attendants took care of getting Harry’s luggage to his room. “Welcome to Boekman Clinic,” the receptionist offered with a smile. “My name is Betty...hopefully you will find the accommodation’s here to your liking. If you find there is anything lacking or something you want you need only to pick up the phone in your room and either I or one of our attendants will assist you during your stay.”

“Thank you, Betty,” Harry said. Thinking to himself, “I won’t say what’s really on my mind right now and I prefer to reserve any judgment of the place until I see my room and some of the facilities for myself.”

Once Harry was registered under his assumed name Jamie pushed him in the wheelchair onto the elevator that took them to the second floor and to the room Harry was assigned to. Soon as they entered the room Harry could not believe his eyes. Most of the walls in the room were red which he made a mental note, “red ... it’s “not” a very relaxing color.”

There were lots of antique looking pictures and frames of all sizes and shapes on the walls and there were even some antique oil lamps in different spots around the room. Harry noticed a bar against one of the walls and started to feel a little upbeat about his stay. His improved mood was immediately dashed upon learning there was nothing alcoholic stocked in the bar. It appeared to be all fruit juices and water.  

“Humph”, Harry let out a disgruntled grunt. “This doesn’t look very promising. My leg hurts like hell. I could use a stiff shot of scotch right about now.”

“Now Harry, remember where you are and why you are here,” Jamie interjected.

“You and that doctor what‘s his face said this clinic was a for physical rehabilitation. You didn’t say anything about it being alcohol or drug rehab,” Harry remarked with a frown on his face. Another thought came across his mind, “I wonder what other surprises I should expect?”

“Jamie, I hope you’re not going to tell me that smoking isn’t allowed?” Harry commented in a sarcastic tone.

“No Harry, nothing quite that drastic,” Jamie replied. “Oh, and about the scotch...what you do in moderation under your doctors’ orders... doctors meaning me, and in your room will be OK so long as other patients here at the clinic don’t get wind...if you get my drift. You’ll be on pain medications while you are still healing so you’ll have to be careful about any alcohol consumption. The plan is as you get better we can cut back on the pain medication. It will mostly depend on how you feel of course.

“Oh... I see, well I guess I can live with that,” Harry said as he let out a loud sigh.

“My god... Jamie, look at that old copper tub over there in front of the fireplace. Don’t tell me they actually heat the water for the tub in that old kettle hanging inside there,” Harry remarked with some skepticism in his voice as he pointed at the huge open fireplace.

“I don’t know... maybe if you request it,” Jamie offered. “However with your injured leg and prosthetic knee it will be rather difficult for you to get in and out of that tub. They do have some rather nice Jacuzzi’s for water therapy which I expect will be part of your treatment. They have both indoor open air and outdoor hot tubs as well,” Jamie said.

“Hmmm, that doesn’t sound so bad. I might actually like that. I’ve thought for some time about having a hot tub added in back of my bungalow at the institute...maybe even a swimming pool,” Harry mused.

“That might actually not be a bad idea after you get done with your therapy here,” Jamie thought out loud. “You’ll probably need some sort of non-impact exercise after you are totally healed up anyway. However the incision will have to be totally healed before you do any hot tub soaking. It’s nearly healed now but we’ll have to check on that to see if you can without any complications I should add.”

“Now just don’t you go getting any ideas about keeping me stuck a ground at the institute Jamie”, Harry said raising his voice. “I plan on getting back to work on Seaview just as soon as possible.”

“Of course, Harry,” Jamie responded. “Well you had to use a walker while you were in the medical center and you’ll be using a cane for a while until you are able to walk non-supported. The more you use the cane to walk around instead of relying on using a wheelchair to get around will help you heal quicker. I won’t lie to you...you’re still going to be in pain...it’ll probably hurt like hell for a while. That’s why you’re taking pain medication.”

“Ya Jamie, I get it,” Harry said.

I was thinking more in terms of something for exercise when Seaview is home and during your spare time working at the institute,” Jamie explained.

Harry chuckled under his breath. “Doesn’t seem to be a lot of that these days,” Harry said with a small grin.

 

A couple days later...

Harry is adjusting to using his assumed identity hopefully to be kept from being recognized by anyone. He’s struggling a bit getting used to the beard as he’s used to seeing a clean shaven reflection in the mirror. He’s gotten used to the darker hair color. He thought, “I’ll be glad when I can get rid of this darker color and the beard.” Harry has had to use disguises when on black ops missions for ONI. Now it was necessary to hopefully keep his privacy during his stay at the clinic.

Dick aka Harry had finished with his morning therapy session and was relaxing in the warm sunshine outside reading a book as he sat in his wheelchair by one of the tables near the pool and hot tub area. One of the attendants brought a drink and sat it down on the table close by. Harry wore a dark blue pair of swimming trunks trimmed in white along the side seams and hem. He was covered up with a light blue terry cloth hooded robe that had a sash tie at the waist. The robe hung somewhat loosely around his upper torso exposing some of his bare chest to the sun. He had on a pair of dark sunglasses to protect his eyes against the suns glare as he read.

“Oh, thank you, Bernie,” Dick responded as Bernie sat the drink on the table. “That looks, um...interesting. What is it?”

“Not sure,” Bernie replied. “Some fruit concoction they make in the kitchen. Everyone seems to like it though. Enjoy,” Bernie exclaimed with a big grin as he turned to go back inside the clinic.

“Thanks,” Dick replied under his breath. Harry thought to himself, “Could really use a shot of something to cut the fruity-ness.”

Meanwhile the goings on didn’t escape the watchful eye of an attractive brunette in a nearby hot tub. She continued to eye the handsome bearded new comer. Dick continued reading his book unaware he was being watched. She was eyeing his bare chest or at least the part that was visible from the robe he was wearing, making a mental note that he seemed in pretty good physical shape and fairly muscular though not over developed. All in all she liked what she saw.

Minutes later, Bernie returned.

“Dick, the doctors said you can start using the hot tub after your therapy session. Right now, if you don’t mind sharing, the only one that is set up is the one over there that Maxine is using.”

“Um, I guess that will be OK. The hot water might feel good after you guys beating me up earlier,” Dick said in a joking manner.”

“Aw, come on Dick, we don’t actually beat up on our patients,” Bernie replied.

“No, it sure feels like you did,” Dick replied.

“You can take your drink with you, if you like,” Bernie offered.

“Ya, why not. This is actually pretty good. I’d like another one after I get done with my soak to take back to my room,” Dick replied.

“I’ll make sure it’s ready for you when you’re ready to head back,” Bernie said with a smile.

Dick slowly shrugged out of the terry robe with Bernie’s help and left it draped over the back and seat of his wheelchair. Bernie then helped him with getting out of the chair and into the water.

“Aaaah...now this is nice. I might really need to get one of these for my home,” Dick said as he slowly sank into the hot water and sitting down, he gently began rubbing his sore knee and leg. The sun felt good on his bare back, chest and shoulders however he thought to himself, “might need to start this out gradually”... since he spent most of his time underwater in a sub and wasn’t used to being in the sun much he worried he could sunburn too easily.

Meanwhile Maxine sat at the other end of the hot tub in silence, a half grin on her face and a watchful eye on her very handsome and distinguished looking soaking partner now that she could see the rest of him unencumbered by the robe and only covered by his swim trunks. “Not bad...not bad at all as she wondered about the parts she couldn’t see under his trunks,” she thought.

As Dick continued his attempt to rub out some of the soreness from that morning’s physical therapy he inconspicuously got a quick glimpse of his hot tub partner. She was... “Attractive, a brunette,” which he preferred,” a nice thin figure...everything well proportioned,” he thought. He was thankful that she was wearing a conservative one piece tan and beige swimsuit that flattered her figure and that she wasn’t wearing one of the skimpier bikini thongs like so many of the ladies liked to wear now days. Harry preferred to use his own imagination as to what was under the suit rather than having a nearly nude female body boldly flaunted in his face. Overall he liked what he saw.

“Hi, my name is Max and you are...?” she introduced herself catching Dick a bit off guard as he was lost in his thoughts and wasn’t sneaking glimpses of her.

“Damn,” Harry thought to himself...”of all the times to be under an assumed identity. Here’s a really nice looking, attractive gal and I have to introduce myself as someone else. Not a good way to start a relationship...with a lie and with someone so attractive. Oh well, here goes.”

“Hello, I’m Richard, but you can call me Dick,” Harry introduced himself with his assumed identity. After a slight pause...he continued.

“Hey wait a minute, Bernie said your name was Maxine,” Harry said. “Isn’t that right?”

“Ya, it is but I prefer everyone call me Max. I hate Maxine. You know, I asked my mom what she and dad were thinking when they named me Maxine. Reminds me of all those silly greeting cards with the bitchy old hag with boobs hanging down to her knees,” Max happily began to chatter away.

Dick about choked at her comment about the sagging boobs.

“Say what do you really think about the drink Bernie brought you?” Max asked.

“It’s not bad. It’s really... fruity. Could us a shot of booze,” Dick said not thinking.

Max sat there staring at Dick for a prolonged period and kind of squinting, then she’d look away like she was trying to think of something, give her head a shake, then start the whole process over again. As she kept this up Dick was beginning to feel a bit unnerved and was wondering what was going through that pretty little mind of hers. After several long minutes of this it was beginning to get under his skin. Not being certain what to do, without really rationalizing Dick suddenly blurted out “Is something wrong?”

Max suddenly stopped, startled by his outburst. “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong with me....Something’s just, well... not right,” Max stated emphatically.

“What do you mean by that?” Dick asked.

“Huh? ...Actually I don’t know yet” Max answered.

Max began staring at him again.

“What?” Dick blurted out.

“It’s just really starting to bug me,” Max answered.

“I beg your pardon,” Dick replied.

“I’m sorry. It’s your name,” Max answered.

 “What...” Dick coughed as he started to choke. After a minute or so and finally getting his voice back, “What do you mean it’s my name? What’s wrong with my name?”

“It doesn’t fit you,” Max answered.

“Are you always like this when you first meet people?” Dick asked in a soft tone.

“No not always, “Max replied. I don’t know why but the name Richard or even Dick just doesn’t fit for me,” Max said emphatically. Then she started to change the subject which made him a little more at ease. Harry thought, “What is she? A mind reader or clairvoyant?” He dismissed the idea as suddenly as he thought of it.

“What color is your room?” Max asked.

“Huh?” Dick replied caught off guard by the sudden change of subject.

“Your room...Dick, what color is the room they assigned you to?” Max asked.

“Oh...Red, mostly,” Dick replied.

“My room is lavender,” Max replied. “Kind of funny décor though. It all looks old and antique with an old claw foot bathtub in front of a big open fireplace. There’s even an old copper kettle hanging in the fireplace. They told me they heat water on the fire with that thing to add to the bathtub since it doesn’t have any plumbing attached.”

“Humph,” Dick grunted. “Sounds similar to my room only my room has an old metal tub without the claw feet, also no plumbing attached. My personal attendant and I figured the same thing about the water but I’m in no shape to use the darn thing. Can’t climb in or out with my bad leg.”

‘That’s too bad,” Max commented. “What happened to your leg, if you don’t mind my asking...?”

“Had a knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago,” Harry replied. “Too stiff and painful for climbing over tubs or stairs. Walking is pain too. Supposed to get better with physical therapy, exercise, and time.”

“I can’t use the tub in my room either,” Max replied. “I have Arthritis really bad in both knees though my right knee is worse than the left. I also have problems with my ankles, hips, wrists, elbows, and shoulders... and the list keeps growing...Oh, and don’t even get me started on my bad back with bad discs. Really sucks sometimes. Speaking of which, I wish Bernie would get here with my midday cocktail.”

“They allow you cocktails here?” Dick asked with surprise in his voice.

“Oh, that’s just figuratively speaking. They bring me the same fruit concoction like you had with my midday dose of Methadone,” Max explained.

“Methadone? ...I thought that was used in place of Heroin for recovering drug addicts?” Dick asked hoping that Max wouldn’t take offense.

“For Pete sake. Why is it that everyone assumes you’ve been doing Heroin if you’re taking Methadone?” Max said somewhat irritated.

“Oh great,” Harry thought to himself. “That was tactless of me and now I’ve probably gone and really pissed her off. This is going to be a short relationship at the rate I’m going.”

“I get the Methadone for pain, “Max continued.  ”I have been under pain control management for a few years now. I have progressed from Vicodin to Morphine to where now they give me Methadone. I’m told they can’t do much other than increase the dosage. I’m on a fairly light dosage for now. I was hoping they could do a knee replacement or something but my doctors said I wasn’t a good candidate for the surgery,” Max continued.

“Did they say why?” Dick asked, genuinely concerned that someone so young should be suffering so.

“Some of the specialists I’ve seen were kind of hedging as to whether I really have Arthritis or Fibromyalgia,” Max replied. “The surgery would be a waste of time and hard on me if it is the Fibro. Anyway, I can only go by what they tell me.”... ”I’m not going to tell him that the doctors told me the knee replacements aren’t always successful and they don’t get rid of all the pain. I really kind of like this guy and I don’t want to upset him or totally piss him off,” She thought to herself.

“Sorry to hear that,” Dick replied.

Max winced and let out a small moan in response to the pain she was beginning to feel at an ever intensifying level.

“Damn it Bernie, I really need my pain med,” Max said under her breath as she tried to not let the rapidly increasing pain get total control over her. Max began to anxiously look around to see if she could spot Bernie. “Bernie, damn it, where the f--- are you,” Max thought. “I’m f---ing hurting like hell...damn it.”

“Oh, Bernie, Bernie...I wish you’d hurry up and get here with my med,” Max said as she began to wrap her arms around both legs now bent at the knee and held close to her body as she began rocking in the water. Sorry, he’s usually more punctual and you are definitely not seeing me at my best right now.”

“Don’t worry it,” Dick tried to reassure Max. “He should be here or one of the attendants. It should probably be about time for someone to help me out of the hot tub too.”

Suddenly Max spotted Bernie rushing towards the hot tub with the drink in one hand and a med cup in the other.

“Oh thank god,” Max exclaimed as Bernie handed her the drink and she grabbed the med cup from him and quickly swallowed the small pill followed by a big gulp of the fruity concoction to wash it down. Then she sat the glass with the remaining drink down on the concrete next to the hot tub while she continued rocking with her eyes closed as she waited for the pain medication to start kicking in.

Bernie rolled the wheel chair over by the hot tub and helped Dick out of the water into the chair.

“Max, will you be OK for a few minutes while I take care of Mr. Basehart here?” Bernie asked as he looked at her rocking and suffering with his brow deeply furrowed with concern.

Without saying a word Max waved Bernie to go ahead with his other patient. Bernie quickly took Dick up to his room where he turned him over to his personal attendant then he hurried back and helped Max out of the hot tub and back to her own room.

The next day...

Dick had finished his morning therapy and he was soon out soaking in the hot tub. As he soaked Harry thought, “I wonder how Max is doing and if she’ll be coming out to use the hot tub again today while I’m here?” He didn’t have to wait long. Bernie pushed Max’s wheelchair out to the hot tub area.

‘Hey Dick, do you mind sharing the hot tub with Max again?” Bernie asked in a cheerful tone.

“Sure, some company would be nice,” Dick said with a broad smile.

Bernie helped Max get herself eased into the hot water. “I’ll be back in five minutes with your juice and pain med Max,” Bernie said. “Will you be OK until then?”

“I’m good for now Bernie,” Max answered with a smile on her face.

“Okie Doke, see you in five,” Bernie replied and hurried off into the clinic.

“How are you doing Max?” Dick asked...waiting for a response. Max gave him a small grin and shrugged her shoulders.

“You seem better,” he offered.

“I’m Okay,” Max finally responded speaking low enough that Dick almost couldn’t hear her over the noise the jets were making in the hot tub. Max then looked Dick straight in the eyes.

“Nope...uh, uh,” Max said in a louder voice.

Dick looked at her rather nervously but didn’t break eye contact with her. After several seconds of staring each other in the face he blurted out...

“Alright, what’s bothering you?”

Max just started shaking her head while staring into those awesomely gorgeous blue eyes of his.

“Damn it Max, you are driving me crazy,” Dick said with a nervous laugh. It was so unlike Harry Nelson to have someone he hardly knew getting to him like this. “Come on Max, stop shaking your head and just come out with it...what’s bothering you?” he said.

“It’s your name. I heard Bernie call you Mr. Basehart yesterday.”

“Ya...so,” he responded.

“Don’t you think you can pull one over on me, it won’t work,” Max stated emphatically and with purpose. “I know I’m right, your name is not Richard or Dick,” Max reiterated. “And it’s certainly not Basehart.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Max,” Dick said.

“Ridiculous huh?” Max said calmly. “Then why are you so nervous and why do I seem to make you sweat?” she inquired. “And don’t tell me it’s the hot tub causing you to sweat because I’m not buying it.”

“I told you who I am, why won’t you believe me?” Dick paused and waited to her response.

“Because, I know I’m right,” Max responded. “I can feel it and that name just doesn’t fit.”

“I don’t suppose you would like to change the subject,” Dick replied.

“OK Mister Richard Basehart or Dick Basehart or whoever you are, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you somewhere before. I don’t recall where at the minute but I can tell you this...my brain is going to work and work and probably drive me totally crazy until I finally remember where I know you from and figure it out. I will remember just where I have seen you before,” Max said. “It may take a while but I definitely will remember.”

Harry started thinking to himself, “before he could finish his therapy at the clinic that his cover was going to be blown. Part of him was deeply concerned about the consequences should Max figure out exactly who he is and part of him wanted very much to tell her his real identity. There again what would be the repercussions should she learn the truth. He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something about Max that he found intriguing and at the same time he was attracted to her though she was obviously several years younger. That concerned him as well.

 At the same time he was fighting the nagging feeling that just maybe he may have known Max from some other place and time. He thought to himself “Oh great, the ultimate common pickup line and she’s using it on me. What’s wrong with you Harry?” he couldn’t help but wonder. “You like her,” he thought so why aren’t you making a move on her?”

Just then Bernie showed up with Max’s fruit concoction and pain medicine which she gladly took. She sat the near empty glass on the concrete next to the hot tub as she had the day before.

“Yum,” Max began, breaking the momentary silence between the two of them. “I could get really addicted to this fruit drink. I have just got to get the recipe for this,” Max uttered. “I bet this would be really awesome with a jigger of rum or something to add some kick, don’t you think so?”

Again Harry was caught off guard by her sudden change of subject but felt maybe it was a good thing she was getting off onto something else and hopefully she would drop her insistence of discovering his true identity. He could only hope.

They had been in the hot tub for about 40 minutes when Max suddenly decided to shift and she moved over to sit closer to her soaking companion.

“I think this is a little better, don’t you?” Max asked as she made eye contact with Dick again. “Now at least I don’t feel like I’m having to shout over the noise of the jets.” Before Dick could respond she was batting her big brown eyes at him.

Suddenly it hit Harry straight between the eyes that Max was unabashedly flirting with him. He thought, “Oh my god, she’s flirting with me, she doesn’t even know who I am, she’s not buying my cover name... damn it... what the hell am I going to do?”

Just then Dick’s personal attendant Jamie alias Jim showed up to take him back to his room. Mr. Basehart, it’s time for you to retire to your room. Bernie had something else he needed to attend to so he asked me to come and get you in his place.

Harry was without question greatly relieved by Jamie’s sudden appearance and he was more than ready to part Max’s company. Jamie thought he read something in Harry’s facial expression when they made eye contact but figured if there was an explanation it would be best to pursue it after they got back to his room.

Once back in Harry’s room with the door shut, Jamie turned to Harry.

“Okay, out with it,” Jamie said.

“Out with what?” Harry retorted.

“Come on Harry, I’ve known you for too long. Judging by the expression on your face when I showed up down there something was going on,” Jamie said in a somewhat accusatory tone. “I also noticed you were a bit red in the face and I don’t think it was all due to soaking in the 100 degree water temperature.”

“I think I may have a problem. You no doubt saw the young lady that was sharing my hot tub,” Harry began.

“Yah...so?” Jamie replied. It was obvious his patience was beginning to wear a little thin and he wanted to hear the rest of the explanation for the look on Harry’s face when he arrived to help him out of the hot tub.

“Well, to start with the lady in question is not buying the cover name I’m using.”

Jamie’s eyes suddenly grew a little larger as his brow furrowed with concern at this news. He was becoming alarmed at just where this might be going.

“She says she thinks she’s pretty sure she remembers me from somewhere and that my name is not Richard or Dick.”

“Oh,” Jamie remarked. “So what then?”

“Trouble is I’m getting a nagging feeling that I might have seen her somewhere before too. There is something vaguely familiar in the back of my mind but I can’t put my finger on it...not just yet anyway.”

“What else?” Jamie retorted.

“She also started making moves on me while we were in the hot tub,” Harry said as he began to blush again feeling just a bit embarrassed sharing this information with his friend and doctor.

“If I seemed relieved when you showed up to retrieve me it’s because I was. I wasn’t feeling comfortable with her questioning my identity and certainly not entirely comfortable with her making moves on me.” Harry said emphatically.

“So what’s really bothering you here Harry?” Jamie asked him. “Is it maybe because you’re not comfortable with the idea of a woman hitting on you when you feel it’s the man’s place to be making all the moves? That’s really old fashioned you know. It’s not uncommon for women to make overt moves on men.”

Harry gave Jamie an odd look at hearing this.

“Hey, I do a lot of reading. I keep myself abreast of all the current trends these days,” Jamie commented. “Maybe you need to add some new stuff to your reading material Harry.”

“I suppose it’s also making you uncomfortable because of the age difference,” Jamie said as he vocalized his thought.

“Ya, that’s part of it,” Harry answered in a low voice. Then he blurted out, “My god Jamie, she must be at least half my age. It bothers me and yet I’m finding myself attracted to her.”

 “There’s nothing wrong with that if two people find they really care about each other?” Jamie stated.

Harry’s eyebrows raised up as his eyes got bigger in response to Jamie’s statement. He looked at his friend with a semi shocked expression on his face.

“Oh, sorry to change the subject but just so you know... you have a visitor,” Jamie said.

“What?” Harry repeated.

“You have a visitor and well, he’s here sort of traveling incognito if you know what I mean. I’ll have him come in after we get you get changed,” Jamie said.

“Alright...wait...what do you mean incognito?” Who are you talking about?” Harry demanded to know.

“Well, he hadn’t seen you since after you had your  surgery at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and he wanted to see you in person rather than get just the usual message from me,” Jamie explained. “He didn’t want to give your identity away so...”

“Oh great, you’re telling me Lee is here in disguise?” Harry’s voice began to raise a couple of octaves.

“Now just calm down and don’t get your blood pressure up.” Jamie ordered his senior officer. “Let’s get you changed so you can properly greet your guest.”

It took about a half hour to get Harry out of his swim trunks and into a light weight pair of heather gray colored sweat pants and a light blue tee shirt. Jamie called Lee via his cell phone and within five minutes there was a knock at the door.

“Jamie went over and opened the door. “Ah, welcome Miguel. It’s so nice to see you again. It’s been a long time since we last saw you,” Jamie said in with a dripping sweet tone of voice and with a smile on his face as Lee walked past him as he closed the door.

“Ah, Senor Nelson,” Lee said in his put on Spanish accent.

“You can cut the act, Lee. Couldn’t you come up with something better than your Miguel Crane disguise again?” Harry asked with a very sarcastic tone. “What if someone recognizes you?” If they recognize you, they surely will figure out without any difficulty who I am?” Harry was starting to get loud again.

“Sorry admiral, it was all I could think of on short notice,” Lee responded to Harry’s angry outburst. “We’ve gotten word that your cover may have been broken.”

“What? How?” Harry stammered. “Oh wait a minute. The person responsible for my cover being blown...do you have a name?” Harry asked.

“Well, as a matter of fact, does the name Maxine Wells have any meaning?” Lee asked Harry.

Harry touched the side of his head then nervously ran his hand through his hair as he raised up to look his closest friend in the face.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Harry answered. “She prefers to go by Max and I was just telling Jamie before you arrived that she was not buying my cover name...something about me not looking like I’m a Richard or a Dick,” he continued. “She’s said she thinks she remembers me from someplace but can’t remember just where.”

“Admiral, I think we need to assume that your cover has been blown and that we should probably get you moved out of the clinic right away,” Lee emphasized.

“You’re probably right,” Harry responded. “So doctor, what are we going to do about my therapy now,” Harry said as he turned and made eye contact with Jamie.

“Well, one thing at a time,” Jamie replied. “First, let’s get you out of here and then we’ll figure out how we’ll continue your therapy.

“Are we all agreed?” Jamie queried.

“Yes, that’s probably best,” Lee responded.

“Agreed,” Harry simply stated.

It only took about thirty minutes to pack everything up and head down to the main desk to check out.

As Jamie went over to the main desk to get Harry checked out of the clinic, Betty became a bit flustered.

“Oh Mr. Basehart,” Betty began,” I hope that you aren’t leaving us because you were unhappy with your treatment here. It's really out of the norm for someone to cancel out the rest of their therapy program and leave so prematurely. I do hope that it wasn’t anything that I or my staff did that has caused you to be dissatisfied with your stay here.”

“No worries Miss Harmon,” Harry replied. “It’s nothing to do with your staff or your facilities. Everything was just fine. I’ve had a sudden family emergency come up and I’ll be following up with my doctor once I get back home and he’ll have made arrangements for me to continue my therapy there. Do thank Bernie and the rest of your staff for their excellent care and attentiveness and please except this as a thank you on my behalf.”

Harry handed Betty some envelopes containing generous tips for the different staff members and herself included.

All of a sudden there was a commotion coming from the direction of the elevator. It was Max. She came wheeling her wheelchair off the elevator and into the main lobby.

“Excuse me!” Max yelled out. “You aren’t leaving without even saying good-bye are you Dick...or whatever your name is?” Max asked with a bit of a frown on her face as she rolled her chair as close as she could get..

“Ah, no Max. Of course not,” Harry lied. “I’ve had a family emergency so we have to rush to catch a flight back home.”

Jamie piped in,” yes that’s right miss. Dick, if we don’t hurry you will miss your flight.”

“Just a minute,” Max said in a tone that gave Harry an uneasy feeling. “Here when you have time, if you don’t mind...here’s my phone number along with some other pertinent information. If you are feeling down or bored you might just give me a jingle,” Max said with a big smile as she handed him the slip of paper with all the information written on it. He quickly took his billfold out of his pants pocket and placed the paper inside then put the billfold back inside his pocket.

“As the group turned to leave, Max decided now might be the last chance she would have to tell her friend what she had finally figured out and where she remembered him from.

“Oh, by the way darling...home wouldn’t by any chance be Santa Barbara would it...Harry?” Max said as she looked right into his eyes.

“What? ...But how?” Harry started to sputter as he was surprised by her question.

“Honey, there must be something wrong with that memory of yours. Don’t you remember me?” Max asked.

“I’m sorry, should I?” Harry replied. “I don’t recall....” his voice trailed off as Max continued.

“Boy, I think you do need a refresher course. You don’t remember me? It was what, about ten or eleven years ago. You were on some sabbatical or something, teaching at a co-ed university giving a science class at UCLA?”

Harry’s eyes grew big as he suddenly realized where he might have remembered Max from.

“Now I remember what was nagging at the back of my mind,” Harry stated. “You as I recall didn’t get very high scores on some of your tests.”

“Yup, that was me. I was in my early twenties when I took your class,” Max recalled. “God I was so hooked on you and you never even noticed. I had the absolute worst crush on you. I don’t know if it was those awesome blue eyes or that incredibly sexy deep voice of yours. I just couldn’t concentrate worth a diddly.”

“So, what helped you figure out my real identity?” Harry asked.

“Are you kidding? Hun you can grow a beard, you can change your hair color, you could even put in colored contacts but I noticed you didn’t bother with that...it might have helped but the thing of it is you can’t disguise that amazingly sexy commanding voice my dear,” she emphasized. Besides, I know who Richard Basehart is. He’s my favorite actor in Hollywood. I’ve seen all of his movies. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 Personally, he’s really good looking too...but...well now that I’ve met the famous and powerful Admiral Harriman Nelson again, the creator of that fantastic glass nosed submarine Seaview and the Nelson Institute of Marine Research well...gosh I can’t make up my mind which one of you I really like the best. You are both so devilishly good looking you both have a voice that just absolutely makes my legs turn to rubber.”

Harry was about to lose it. He just wasn’t believing what he was hearing out of this young babe.

“Hmmm...What if I had told you I was David Hedison?” Harry asked with a grin. “Would you have believed me then?” he asked.

“Nope, not a chance sweetie,” Max replied.

 Her use of different assorted terms of endearment were beginning to make Harry blush in response which was a bit embarrassing in front of his friends. Jamie couldn’t help but smile at the goings on. Lee on the other hand had a slight frown on his face.

“Why not if I might ask?” Harry said.

“Well, OK...if you really must know, he’s too tall. I’m just barely five foot and he would tower way over me. I like my men to be shorter so I don’t feel any shorter than I already am...his eyes are the wrong color too. Don’t get me wrong, he has really pretty eyes but I’m an absolute goner when it comes to gorgeous blue eyes and well I just really love blue eyes like you have darling,” Max said as she batted her big brown eyes at Harry. “For another, he doesn’t have near as sexy a voice as you do. I mean he has a nice voice...any gal would just love him but I like a guy with a deep resonate voice and well... every time you speak I just get cold shivers up and down my spine.”

Harry was really starting to get red in the face. He was so stunned by her bluntness and in front of others, Harry was for the moment at a total loss for words.  It was like he was in shock or something. He quickly turned and looked at Lee and Jamie with an expression that said,” Let’s get the hell out of here...now.”

“Say, you know your dark friend over there kind of reminds me of David Hedison,” Max stated, “Isn’t that weird?”

Jamie was the first to speak. “Admiral, we really have to get going.”

“Ah, ah, ah...yes ah um...we ah, need to ah...” Harry couldn’t hardly put two words together.

Then looking at his watch Harry nodded in agreement that indeed it was time to go. Then he looked in Lee’s direction, somewhat nervously eyeing his disguise. Harry swallowed and quickly found his voice.

“What do you say Miguel?” Shall we go?” Harry said with a bit of a frown and a bit of detectable tension in the sound of his voice.

Lee in his Miguel disguised voice and jokingly responded,” Si Senor Nelson...I make like the little mouse in the cartoon. I say...Arriba... Arriba ... Andale. Si?”

“Harry, Max, and Jamie by now were all laughing so hard that tears were rolling down their faces.  Harry and Jamie especially couldn’t believe that Lee actually popped out with something so outlandish.

“Yes, Miguel, we go right now,” Jamie said as he still continued to laugh.

“Bye Harry,” Max yelled as the guys headed out the door of the clinic. “Don’t forget to call me, you’ve got my number.”

They all climbed into a wheelchair accessible van driven by Kowalski. Harry in his wheelchair was pushed onto the electric wheelchair lift. As soon as Jamie had Harry’s wheel chair in position and buckled in securely they took off. Truth be known, they weren’t on that tight of a schedule. They weren’t actually catching a flight at the airport.  Instead they were headed for a secluded spot along the Potomac River where the flying sub was berthed and waiting for the men to board her.

 Once on board, FS1 would initially follow a low flight path directly over the Potomac River until they reached an undeveloped area in an undisclosed spot beyond the outskirts of the Washington D.C. area. Once there, with Lee expertly piloting the flying sub he would take them up to a height of ten thousand feet and continue on a specified flight plan, known only to SEC NAV, the senior staff at the institute and Chip Morton, until they got to their final destination which is NIMR at Santa Barbara.

Shortly after their arrival at the secret docking area for the Seaview, Chief Sharkey was standing by with a wheelchair accessible van. As soon as the men disembarked the Flying Sub and got all the luggage loaded onto the van...the admiral in his wheel chair was then boarded onto the van with assistance from Lee and Jamie to get securely situated and buckled in for the short trip to his bungalow.

 Sharkey drove the group to the admiral’s home. When they opened the front door and entered the bungalow it was noted that a certain fat Siamese cat was sitting in the middle of the coffee table in front of the sofa in the living room. He let out a very loud yowl as he waited to receive attention from his human and anyone else that wanted to extend a hand to pet the satisfied looking cat.

 Once everyone was inside and Harry was already seated in his wheel chair, as he was being pushed into the living room the cat suddenly ran and jumped up onto Harry’s lap. Happy that his human was finally home, he purred very loudly so everyone could hear as he made a couple small circles and snuggled down on his owner’s lap. Harry then placed a hand on his back just behind his head and began to pet him.  Looking down and eyeing the Siamese Harry almost swore that the darn cat was smiling at him.

Oh, by the way Harry,” Jamie said. “I made arrangements to set up some of the equipment for your therapy so you could get it done here. I thought you would be more comfortable at home rather than making you stay in med bay for the duration. Harry began to wheel his chair over toward the sliding glass doors that led out onto to the deck behind his bungalow. As the chair began to move the cat got up and jumped down from his lap after being disturbed by the rolling motion of the chair.

To Harry’s amazement there was a hot tub set up and ready to occupy. It sat lower than his deck. It was installed in such a way that once he was able to walk un-assisted again all he had to do was step right from the deck into the hot tub without having to climb over anything. It appeared to be quite large and could aptly handle most anyone that Harry wanted to invite including probably most of his closest friends. By the expression on his face Lee and Jamie could tell that Harry was quite pleased.

“When did you manage this?” Harry inquired with a big grin on his face as he motioned toward the direction of the hot tub.

“Oh, we have our methods. You should know that by now Harry,” Jamie replied. “With Angie’s help we made arrangements to have it installed while you were at the clinic. We almost thought we wouldn’t have it ready in time when it wound up you being discharged from the clinic so early. Oh and by the way, you will have a therapist here at ten o’clock every weekday morning. You get a break on the weekends to rest but I recommend you still soak in the hot tub every day. The hot water and the jets will be good to keep you from getting too stiff and sore.

 I figure with any luck you should be back on your feet and back to work in another few weeks. In the meantime, I just want you to relax and try to enjoy taking it easy for a while. A little R and R is in order until your new knee is healed up.  

Oh, and don’t you worry Harry. Before you know it you will be back to work. Just remember to follow all doctors’ orders. The rules haven’t changed any. Just the logistics... Harry, before you know it this whole episode will be a bad memory and you’ll be back to normal...well, almost normal at least. It will seem like nothing ever happened.”

I don’t know Jamie,” Harry interjected. “I doubt this will be nothing more than a bad memory... and just what did you mean when you said “almost” normal?”

“Well, you will have to remember that you have a prosthetic knee and as such you will have to use some caution,” Jamie started to explain as Harry’s brow furrowed at the mention of using caution.

“This is new territory we are in here Harry.” Jamie continued. “We have to see how that prosthetic knee holds up to some of the banging around and pounding that we all get aboard Seaview. The specialists at the medical center seemed to think it would be fine. I know there are people that go sky diving with the same type of prosthetic knees and hips and also some athletic people still manage to stay active so we’re all thinking it should hold up pretty well. As to how long it will last that’s anybody’s guess. Typically most knee replacements last about ten years or so.

Harry continued to listen in silence as Jamie went on.

 “You know, Harry,” Jamie continued...”I expect you’ll be able to continue deep sea diving without much problem. Oh, and Harry...before I forget, I don’t want you to even think about trying to climb those stairs up to your master bedroom until you can walk without using a cane or anything for assistance. “The skipper and I got Sharkey and Kowalski to set up part of the den down here on the main floor as temporary sleeping quarters and they moved some of your stuff to the downstairs bathroom as well.”

“Alright,” Harry said as he let out a loud sigh and looked like his mind was a few thousand miles away then suddenly his attention returned. “So, how long do you think I’ll need this temporary sleeping arrangement Jamie? I’m not sure the downstairs bathroom is large enough to comfortably get in and out with this damn wheelchair.” 

“As long as you continue with all your therapy and exercises, follow doctors’ orders to the letter, I expect you’ll be out of that chair possibly as soon as a couple weeks, “Jamie responded. “Maybe even sooner if all goes well.”

 “Two weeks?” Harry blurted out. “Are you sure it will have to be that long?”

“Don’t worry,” Jamie said in a reassuring tone with a half grin on his face. “You’ll be out of that chair and back to normal before you know it especially if you start walking with the cane more instead of relying on the wheelchair to get around the house. Anything beyond that though you’ll still need the chair for a while.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” Harry retorted with a grin and a small salute.

 If you think you’ll be OK for a while I need to go check on some things,” Jamie responded back.

“I’ll be fine,” Harry replied.

 

 

Harry had to admit he was happy to be home and to be getting his therapy sessions at home where his NIMR family and friends could visit on a regular basis. Plus he had to admit he was really going to enjoy the addition of the hot tub.

His resident house maid and cook Emelia was glad to have her boss home. She started making plans on what kind of food to fix for a nice get together to welcome the admiral back home. Lee and Sharkey left and headed for Seaview. There were some modifications that Lee wanted to go over with his XO and the Chief. Besides Lee was eager to ditch the make-up and clothing that helped make up his disguise and get all cleaned up and back into uniform.

 Jamie got Harry situated and left him alone for a while so he could go take care of some things that were needing his attention. He would return later to check on Harry to make sure everything was OK.

Harry had to admit to himself that he was kind of glad to have some time to himself. He let Emelia know he would be in his den for a while. Luckily the rooms in his bungalow were oversized thanks to his help with the original design plans for the resident housing on institute grounds.

 As he began to wheel his chair through the door he noticed he still had plenty of room in his den even with the addition of an adjustable hospital bed against the inner wall. Harry noticed that the large chair that normally sat behind his oversized desk was now sitting over in a corner of the room. As he continued to gaze at the changes and additions to his den he suddenly got the urge to find the bottle of scotch that he normally kept stashed behind some of his books on the 3rd shelf of the bookcase against the far wall from the doorway.

 Wheeling the chair over to the bookcase Harry noticed that some of the books where he kept the bottle seemed to be disturbed. “Oh well,” he thought to himself. “It would be impossible to reach that high as long as he was using the wheelchair without using some kind of grabber to reach or help from Emelia or someone else.”

 He then decided to wheel his chair over behind the desk and check some of the desk drawers, thinking that maybe Lee or Sharkey might have relocated the bottle for easier access.  After opening and checking a couple drawers, when he got to the bottom right hand drawer he found his assumption was right. His bottle of scotch lay in the drawer and there were a couple glasses in the drawer as well.

Harry thought about pouring himself a drink. A smile began to form at the corners of his mouth and he thought he would save it for later. For now he had another item on his mind. He reached into his pants pocket, pulling out his billfold. Opening it he removed a slip of paper. He replaced the billfold back in his pocket but hung onto the slip of paper. He sat there for several minutes, his eyes closed, still smiling and holding the slip of paper in his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at the time on his wristwatch and made a mental note of what time it would be on the east coast.

He wheeled his chair a little closer to better reach the phone. Removing the receiver from its cradle he dialed the 10 digits on the piece of paper and tapped his fingers on the desk as he waited for an answer.

Finally after several rings there was a female voice on the other end.

“Hello”

“Hi a Max,” Harry answered back in the phone.

“Oh Harry, I’m so glad you called...”

 

A few days later...

 

Jamie had just arrived at Harry’s bungalow. It was almost noon when he stopped by. He figured Harry would be done with his morning therapy session and probably out back soaking in the hot tub. After getting out of his car he walked up to the door, ringing the doorbell, Emelia greeted him at the door and motioned for him to head to the back deck. He noticed that Emelia seemed unusually giddy which seemed a bit odd.

He continued through the living room and started to head out the sliding door to the deck when he stopped himself. It was suddenly apparent that Harry was not alone. There was a certain attractive brunette soaking in the hot tub with Harry. They were both talking and laughing...both visibly having a good time. Jamie decided to stay just out of sight and watch for a minute or so. He figured that his patient looked to be doing just fine. A thought crossed his mind and he decided he preferred not to disturb Harry just now.

Jamie turned and headed back towards the door to leave. He saw Emelia looking at him, a big grin on her face. So he walked over to her and quietly let Emelia know that he thought Harry was doing just fine and that he would stop by a little later.

“By the way Emelia,” Jamie said. “No need to tell the admiral I was here. OK?”

“Oh yes, Doctor Jamie,” Emelia replied, smiling and lightly chuckling under her breath. “It will be our little secret.”

 

Two weeks later...

 

Harry’s prosthetic knee was totally healed and Jamie had given him a clean bill of health. At last Harry was cleared to return to work. It was a Monday morning. Harry sat at the conference table in the observation nose of Seaview or as he sometimes liked to refer to it as, “the front porch.” Many times he simply enjoyed sitting gazing out at the fantastic ocean view thru the herculite windows.

 He was going through some papers. The men were all at their duty stations in the control room and the skipper had just finished giving orders to get underway. The XO of the boat Chip Morton gave the order to dive. As the great sub gently eased under the surface of the water and began her latest voyage out into the Pacific Ocean Lee walked over and sat on the corner of the conference table. He watched Harry checking off some items on a sheet of paper attached to a clipboard. Lee could tell that Harry was truly happy for he was finally home aboard his dream boat Seaview and heading out to sea. Lee could not remember a time when the admiral was more relaxed and in such a good mood. With a smile on his face, Lee thought to himself, “Think I’ll be looking into getting one of those hot tubs installed when we get back home.”  

Harry stopped and looked up into the face of his friend. As if he knew what was on Lee’s mind, a smile formed as the thought struck him.

“If he only knew...

 

Changing Identities

The End.

 

 

Author’s notes: The character Miguel Crane first appeared in the Harriman Nelson Journal on Seaview Stories

I had fun writing this short story. I have borrowed different character names from different sources because of their relevance to Richard Basehart and have nothing to do with the original character or person as noted. The only character bearing resemblance to any other character to my knowledge is my use of Miguel Crane and those as noted.

 

The character Betty Harmon appeared in the season 2 episode “Escape from Venice” I borrowed the name for my story. My character bears no resemblance to the character portrayed in the Voyage episode. I opted to use the name for my character for fun since this is the name of  Richard Basehart’s sister’s name was Betty Harmon, and with some of the play on names I couldn’t resist the use of her name for this story.

 

The character Max or Maxine – I’m not aware of any existing female character going by Max but she dislikes her full name Maxine because she says it reminds her of the bitchy hag on greeting cards. This references cartoon character Maxine created by Joe Wagner or as his Maxine likes to call him “Arty Boy” and originally appeared on Hallmark “Shoe Box” greeting cards. Perpetually one of Hallmark’s top-performing characters, today Maxine has her own books, comic strip, calendars, and website. Her likeness, and attitude, have also appeared on everything from t-shirts to paper towels.

 

The Siamese cat referenced though not specifically by name in this story is Harry’s Siamese cat Aristotle who first appeared in Harry and Aristotle written by Linda Elliott and also appears in some of her later stories ...the Costa Negrita Series comes to mind. A wonderful writer. I never tire of re-reading many of her Voyage fan fiction stories. That’s probably why I wound up subconsciously inserting the cat in my story.

 

The name Doctor Boekman was a character in Hans Brinker, a beloved children’s story written by Mary Mapes Dodge. I decided to use this character in name only for the reason that Richard Basehart portrayed this character in the musical adaptation of this classic that was aired on NBC TV as a Christmas special in December 1969 and was a re-broadcast the following year. Now this version is only available on either DVD or some VHS tapes that show up now and then on the Amazon marketplace.

 

 

In my story Lee as Miguel makes a joking reference to the cartoon character Speedy Gonzalez, the little Spanish mouse of Looney Tunes fame. 

The rest of the characters in my story – Harry who is Admiral Nelson, Lee Crane, Chip Morton, Chief Sharkey, Kowalski, Dobbs, and Hawkins are all creations of Irwin Allen and 20th Century Fox and my story is not meant to infringe on any copy right written or implied.

 

 

Of course the name I picked for Harry’s alter identity is Richard Basehart, real person and very talented actor who portrayed him in the Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea TV series from 1964 – 1968 who had a film and TV career that spanned more than 40 years. When I conceived the idea of this story it only seemed fitting to use Richard’s name to make my story fun and to include the reference to David Hedison as well. This is meant to be fun and being he is my favorite actor who just also happened to portray my favorite character on the series. It’s just a small way of celebrating what would have been his 100th birthday which is also coincidently is the deadline for submitting this story on August 31st, 2014 for the Picture is worth a thousand words challenge: Red on Seaview Stories.

 

Richard Basehart was born in Zanesville, Ohio on August 31, 1914 and passed away after suffering multiple strokes on September 17, 1984 at the age of 70.

 

This story is a celebration of my favorite actor and the character he portrayed which also happens to be my favorite Voyage character. I came up with the premise for my story as I sat soaking in my backyard hot tub a few days ago on one very hot August day. I tend to do some of my best thinking then.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen